(a) A college and career coach shall:
(1) Hold a baccalaureate degree; and
(2) Hold a career development facilitator certification or be eligible to complete the required career development facilitator training within one (1) year of hiring.
(b) The college and career coaches shall be stationed at an institution of higher education, an education service cooperative, or a nonprofit organization and shall provide services and support to students in middle schools and high schools, including without limitation:
(1) Assisting the career orientation instructor with the development of college and career plans for students, beginning in grade seven (7);
(2) Assisting the school counselor with college and career planning resources and revising college and career plans for each student annually, beginning in grade nine (9);
(3) Offering high school students college and career planning services and activities that combine counseling on career options and experiential learning with academic planning to assist students with their college and career plans;
(4) Encouraging parental participation by scheduling annual parent sessions, beginning with students in grade seven (7), to assist parents and students in understanding the college and career planning process;
(5) Providing parents and high school students with information about career and technology education program opportunities available in Arkansas and the level of education and skill required to be successful in various career fields;
(6) Preparing high school students with information and preparation for financing a postsecondary education;
(7) Assisting schools in promoting quality career development for students in grades seven through twelve (7-12);
(8) Supporting students in middle school and high school in the exploration of career clusters and the selection of an area of academic focus with a cluster of study;
(9) Improving and promoting career development and college planning opportunities within school districts and communities;
(10) Attending continuing education programs on the certified career development facilitator curriculum sponsored by the state;
(11) Coordinating with school counselors and school administrators on career day events, career classes, career programming, college planning, and financial aid activities;
(12) Coordinating community resources and citizens representing diverse occupations to provide career development activities for parents and students; and
(13) Assisting with online-based career guidance and college planning systems.
(c)
(1) An institution of higher education, an education service cooperative, or a nonprofit organization participating in the College and Career Coaches Program shall assign an on-site supervisor who shall:
(A) Supervise the program locally; and
(B) Be a liaison between the institution of higher education, education service cooperative, or nonprofit organization and the Division of Career and Technical Education.
(2) The division and the on-site supervisor shall evaluate the performance of each college and career coach.